Bulldogs low on big men

Johnson fails to qualify; UGA lacks front-court help

Posted: Wednesday, July 17, 2002

By C. Trent Rosecranstrosecrans@onlineathens.com

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- The Georgia men's basketball coaching staff is looking all over the world for a big man after signees Alexander Johnson of Albany and Julius Lamptey of Oklahoma City failed to qualify academically for next season.

Both Johnson and Lamptey will enroll in prep schools next season. Johnson will enter New Hampshire Prep, while Lamptey will enroll at Bridgton Academy in Maine, the same school former signee Larry Turner attended.

One assistant coach, James Holland, is currently in Europe scouting players, while another, Jim Harrick Jr., has recently returned from Europe.

Both Jim Harrick and Harrick Jr. were at the Nike Peach Jam basketball tournament here Tuesday.

"We're looking overseas," Harrick said, but added that he wasn't sure if they could get someone for the upcoming season.

Harrick also said that Wayne Arnold, the state's high school player of the year, passed a summer school class and will be eligible in the fall and will enroll at UGA. Also walking-on to the team will be former Ohio State-signee Clark Williams, who played with Arnold at Berkmar.

Johnson, a 6-foot-9 power forward, was only recently diagnosed with a severe eye disorder, Harrick said. Doctors found that Johnson has an oblong cornea instead of a round one, which hinders his ability to read. Harrick said that Johnson's met the core grade requirements, but came just short of his standardized test scores.

"A doctor deemed him disabled," Harrick said of Johnson's eye problem. "He had to hold the test up very close to his eyes and it made it hard for him to take the test."

Johnson averaged 27 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots a game for Dougherty High School last season.

Lamptey, a 7-footer, averaged 15 points, 13 rebounds and five blocked shots a game last season in Oklahoma.

If either Johnson or Lamptey achieve passing scores on standardized tests in the fall, they could be admitted to UGA for the second semester. If they do not enroll for the second semester, both will have to be re-recruited and re-signed to national letters of intent.

With neither Lamptey or Johnson coming aboard, it leaves a great void in the front court for this season. Turner was denied admission and last season's starting center, Steven Thomas, is facing criminal charges. Thomas' status for the upcoming season is still unknown. That leaves the Bulldogs with only 6-8 Jonas Hayes in the middle along with 6-7 Chris Daniels. Daniels led the Bulldogs in rebounding last season with eight rebounds per game. Damien Wilkins, 6-7, also will be able to play some at forward.